Karlson J. Philip was born in Grenada, in the Caribbean Islands. His parents emigrated from Grenada to New York, New York in 1989. Karlson Philip enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in 2003. On 30 June 2003, Private Philip reported to Recruit Training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, South Carolina and graduated September 2003. Private Philip then reported to Marine Combat Training at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. On 1 November, Private Philip was promoted to Private First Class. Private First Class Philip then attended Military Occupation Specialty School for Combat Engineer at Court House, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina and graduated in January 2004.
After graduating from Military Occupation Specialty School, Private First Class Philip received orders and reported to 1st Marine Division, 1st Combat Engineer Battalion, Charlie Company in January 2004. From February to September 2004, Private First Class Philip deployed to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. On 1 September 2004, Private First Class Philip was promoted to Lance Corporal and assigned as 2nd team leader for 2nd Squad, 3rd Platoon. On 2 September 2005, Lance Corporal Philip was promoted to Corporal meritoriously. From September 2005 to April of 2006, Corporal Philip deployed to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Upon completion of that deployment, Corporal Philip executed Temporary Assignment of Duty as a Military Police Officer from August 2006 to January 2007. Upon completion of Temporary Assignment of Duty, Corporal Philip was transferred from Charlie Company to Headquarter & Service Company, S-3. On 1 January 2007, Corporal Philip was promoted to Sergeant and was selected to re-establish the Sapper School at 1st Combat Engineer Battalion. In order to receive the knowledge needed to re-establish 1st Combat Engineer Battalion's Sapper School, Sergeant Philip was sent to Infantry Squad Leader Course, Martial Arts Instructor Course, Helicopter Rope Suspension Technique Course, Military Operation in Urban Terrain Instructor Course, Urban Breacher Course, and Army Sapper Course. After completing these courses, Sergeant Philip served as the Chief Instructor at 1st Combat Engineer Battalion Sapper School from January 2008 to January 2009.
In January of 2009, Sergeant Philip was transferred from 1st Combat Engineer Battalion to Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego, California for duties as a Student Drill Instructor. Upon completion of Drill Instructor School, he was assigned to 1st Recruit Training Regiment, 1st Battalion, Bravo Company. From March 2009 to March 2010, Sergeant Philip served as a Drill Instructor and was “relieved for the good of the service” due to a knee injury. In March 2010, Sergeant Philip was transferred to 7th Engineer Support Battalion, 1st Explosive Disposal Company. From September 2010 to April 2011, Sergeant Philip deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom 10-2. After this deployment, Sergeant Philip requested to remain with 1st Explosive Disposal Company to deploy again. From September 2012 to April 2013, Sergeant Philip deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom 12-2. Upon completion of Operation Enduring Freedom 12-2, Sergeant Philip was transferred from 1st Explosive Disposal Company to Headquarter & Service Company, Construction Shop. On 1 October 2013, Sergeant Philip was promoted to Staff Sergeant and became the Staff Noncommissioned in Charge of the Construction Shop. In January 2014, Staff Sergeant Philip received Orders and reported to Combat Assault Battalion, Engineer Company, Okinawa, Japan in June 2014.
From June 2014 to January 2017, Staff Sergeant Philip was assigned as Platoon Sergeant for 2nd Platoon and supported multiple exercises such as: the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, Marine Rotational Force-Darwin, Korean Military Exchange Program, Philippines Amphibious Landing Exercise, and Integrated Training Exercise. On 1 February 2017, Staff Sergeant Philip was promoted to Gunnery Sergeant and assigned as the Remain Behind Element Company Gunnery Sergeant until June 2017. On 17 June 2017, Gunnery Sergeant Philip was approved for additional 36 months overseas and was transferred to Marine Wing Support Squadron 172. From June 2017 to March 2018, Gunnery Sergeant Philip served as Construction Platoon Staff Noncommissioned Officer in Charge and supported exercise Cobra Gold 2018. In March 2018, Gunnery Sergeant Philip was selected to be Engineer Company Senior Enlisted Advisor. From March 2018 to September 2019, Gunnery Sergeant Philip served as Engineer Company Senior Enlisted Advisor and during this period Engineer Company was selected as the 2019 Marine Corps Engineer Association, Marine Wing Support Company of the year. From September 2019 to August 2020, Gunnery Sergeant Philip was selected to be Marine Aircraft Group 36 Personnel Support Detachment First Sergeant. In August 2020, Gunnery Sergeant Philip was transferred to 2nd Marine Division, 2nd Combat Engineer Battalion, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, where he served as Operation Chief for Company C. On 13 January 2022, Gunnery Sergeant Philip was frocked to First Sergeant and transferred to 2d Battalion, 10th Marines, Battery E where he served as the Battery First Sergeant from January 2022 to July 2022. In July 2022, First Sergeant Philip was transferred to Battery S and attached to Battalion Landing Team 1/6, In support of the upcoming 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable) deployment. From July 2023 to March 2024, First Sergeant Philip deployed with the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit and supported operations in the 5th and 6th Fleet Area of Operations. On 25 April 2024, First Sergeant Philip was transferred to Financial Management School, Camp Johnson where he is currently serving as the school First Sergeant.
First Sergeant Philip's personal decorations include (3) Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medals, (2) Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals, and (1) Combat Action Ribbon.